R&D+I, Research, Development and Innovation
ECONEX, as global leader in its field, continues to grow following its strategic plan for future development based on new R&D+I projects and cutting-edge research through new ideas, concepts and methods. All for the purpose of developing new and advanced products and services which will improve the current Pest Biocontrol Systems.
SANIDAD AGRICOLA ECONEX, LTD., is an innovative company, that has developed and launched onto the market 13 patents or utility models and 15 registered brands.
PROJECTS
Recent examples are R&D+I projects carried out with the collaboration of the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), the University of Murcia, the University of Oviedo and the Plant Health Service of the Region of Murcia. ECONEX has invested 2.500.000€ in R&D+I for the following co-financed projects:
1) CDTI 2023: IDI-20230814
PROJECT: NEW CONTROL STRATEGIES OF PESTS THAT ATTACK THE HARVEST OF ACID METABOLISM ORNAMENTAL PLANTS, WITH THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING THEIR PRODUCTIVITY. Call: 2023, from 2023 to 2026.
2)ATTRACTION RTC2019-007139-2 PROJECT
BIODEGRADABLE DEVICES FOR THE ATTRACTION AND CAPTURE OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST PESTS. The aim of this project is defined in CHALLENGE 2, which is related to Bioeconomy: Sustainability of the Primary Manufacturing and Forestry Systems; Food Safety and Quality; Maritime and Marine Research and Bioproducts. CHALLENGE 2 aims to provide a smart and sustainable answer to the challenges regarding sectors belonging to the field of bioeconomy. These challenges could be related to: food availability, its quality and safety; mitigation and adaptation to climate change; national and international competitiveness of the agri-food, forestry, fishing and maritime sectors; conservation of natural resources; and the development and implementation of a circular economy as an opportunity to ensure a sustainable growth of our systems and create new job opportunities. Call: 2019, from 2019 to 2023.
3) TORRES QUEVEDO PROGRAMME: PTQ-12-05262
Chemical ecology applied to Integrated Agricultural and Forest Pest Management. Call: 2012, from 2013 to 2016.
4) CDTI 2013: IDI- 20130294
Development of biocontrol devices for the agricultural pest, Capnodis tenebrionis (Col: Buprestidae). Call: 2013, from 2013 to 2014.
5) CDTI 2010: IDI-20101010
Devices to attract and capture forest pests. Call: 2010, from 2010 to 2012.
EUROPEAN COMMISSION FUNDING PROGRAMMES
The European Commission has classified ECONEX as Excellent within the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2014-2020. The EU Commission declared that the 806153 proposal in the context of the H2020 SME Instrument phase 2, call H2020-SME (H2020-SMEINST-2-2016-2017), was of excellent quality within the highly competitive evaluation process.
On the 28th of November 2017, SANIDAD AGRÍCOLA ECONEX, LTD was acknowledged with the prestigious SEAL OF EXCELLENCE awarded by the EUROPEAN COMMISSION as the institution that manages the Horizon 2020 programme, within the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2014-2020. The aim of this programme is to stimulate the innovation potential of SMEs for sustainable development and competitive agriculture, forestry, agri-food and bio-based sectors.
In addition, ECONEX received the grant: Horizon 2020 Framework Programme – SME Instrument (Call Reference: H2020-SMEINST-1-2015); grant agreement: 717607-DACUSNEX, to finance the submission of the call.
IN 2019 ECONEX COLLABORATED AS MEMBER IN TWO CALLS:
BABEL Project. (Bark and Ambrosia Beetles and their Associated Micro-Organisms on European Landscapes: New and Emerging Threats to Forest Health). Call H2020-SFS-2018-2020 (Ref: SEP-210559654). This consortium is composed of 25 members from 22 different countries. ECONEX is the only private Spanish company participating.
LIFE GYMER Project. (Using Traps and Pheromones to Control the Gypsy Moth: Eco-Friendly Control in Practice). Call: LIFE2019 (Ref: LIFE19 ENV/ES/000050). This consortium is composed of 7 members from 3 different countries. ECONEX is the only member which is a private company.
DEVELOPMENT AND MANUFACTURE OF TRAPS AND ATTRACTANTS
ECONEX has vast experience in the development and manufacturing of attractants and traps for the capture of pests. With joint collaboration from the University of Murcia and the University of Valladolid, the CROSSTRAP family was created. These traps are treated with a permanent slippery coating to significantly increase captures of species such as Monochamus; vectors of the quarantine pest (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus); Scolytidae; Rhynchophorus (Red palm weevil) and other xylophages.
Another line of traps (Velutinatrap) has been specially designed for the capture of the quarantine pest, Vespa velutina (Asian hornet). From its headquarters in Murcia, ECONEX manufactures more than 120 models of traps (taking into consideration the different versions: colours, sizes, etc) and more than 450 types of attractants and repellents (without taking into account the different versions or appearance). All of them are sold in more than 52 countries.
The R&D Department at ECONEX has accumulated a significant amount of experience in managing funded R&D+I projects. These projects are mainly aimed at the development of new traps and attractants for both native and invasive insects. ECONEX has a huge network of suppliers and working relationships with Universities and Research Centres, which supply materials; techniques and advice for the designs; and laboratory and field tests. This network works together to deliver very high-quality products.
The Ministry of Science and Innovation has granted SANIDAD AGRÍCOLA ECONEX S.L. the “Innovative SME” seal This central government department is in charge of rewarding companies that are innovative for their R&D+I activities. The objective of this seal is to recognise and support companies that, just like ECONEX, have carried out important research or technological development activities over the last few years. For 38 years, ECONEX has been supporting innovation and development alternatives that respect the environment and protect crops. The growth strategy of ECONEX has been to always investigate at the highest level using new ideas, concepts and methods. All that, with the intention of developing new and advanced products and services which will improve on the current Pest Biocontrol Systems. Granting ECONEX the “Innovative SME” seal, is a way of recognising its commitment to continuous improvement and its wide range of products that cover its customers´needs.